JON RUA                      RESUME URL ACCESS      
       
      Jon Rua was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on August 14th, 1983. He grew up in a household filled with the culture and musical sounds of Colombian Cumbia and Bachata. Convinced that musical expression and physical movement were the best form of communication, Jon soon introduced himself to all forms of the performing arts. As the years progressed, Jon found himself in chamber choirs, numerous musicals, dance showcases, symphonic orchestras, and touring troupes. It was however, the field of dance and musical theatre that Jon continued to explore and perform in.  Being no stranger to the stage, Jon made his Off-Broadway Debut in the award-winning hit musical "In The Heights".   Regional Theatre credits include Footloose(Chuck Cranston) and A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum(Protean/Ensemble) to name a few. 
      After experiencing various forms and stylistic differences in dance, Jon found his niche within the culture of Hiphop. He focused on his training through any form necessary by absorbing his surroundings and environment. He continuously studies the techniques of Funk in New York with experienced dancers and HipHop in training facilities such as Steps, BDC, & Peridance.  However, it is the underground world of HipHop where the true art form is seen at it's best.  Jon's style incorporates the old school fundamentals with today's new school finesse, otherwise viewed as New School Founational Choreography.  His choreography is driven by musicality and a theatrical approach to bodily movement, but most important , the true embodiement and expression of the music.
         As a choreographer, his credits include New York City Dance Alliance(NYCDA),Carnival: A Choreographer's Ball, The Rutgers University Dance Team, The New Jersey Nets Dance Team and Kids Team, OnStage America National Convention,  and club tours for recording artist "Nicky J".  As a dancer, his credits IBM, Target, BillBoard, "In the Heights"-Broadway promo-, Atlantic Record's Artist "Bayje", Yasin's music video "Mahmagelu", Angel Feliciano's "The Movement", Bollywood Fashion Awards 2006,  The CopaCabana, The New Jersey Nets Dance Team, KTU’s Beatstock, Who Da Funk?’s ‘Shiny Disco Balls’, and Club Tours. Television credits include MTV, Good Morning America, & NY1 News.  It is through these experiences that Jon has had the privelege to work with world-reknown choreographer's Andy Blankenbuehler and Fatima Robinson.
      As a teacher, Jon has instructed numerous workshops and master classes throughout the Tri-State Area including The New Jersey Govenor School of Arts.  He currently teaches in New York City at Manhattan Motions. Conventions and intensives include New York City Dance Alliance,  OnStage America and he has guest taught at Alvin Ailey in NYC. Internationally, Jon has instructed dance for the Genctur Youth Camp hosted in Istanbul, Turkey and the Children of Agape from South Africa. With various organizations, dance teams, assistant choreography work, and 4 years of professional teaching experience under his belt, Jon is thrilled to spread the Hiphop culture and art form of dance. Aside from his performing arts career, Jon is a proud graduate of Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ earning a degree in Communication/Public Relations.  
      "It is your imagination that makes you what you are in the performing arts.  Embody your visions and your style will shine."